It all starts with us...we are the Generation of the Green Fig Tree.
The Parable of the Fig Tree is a parable given by Jesus concerning the first sign that we are entering into the end times that must occur sometime prior to His return on the Day of the Lord (on an unknowable date). The Fig Tree is the first identifiable, general situation or condition that signifies that a series of end times events that Jesus described are soon to occur, generally within the lifespan of one person. The parable appears in three of the four gospels which will be seen later, quoted in the last section of this chapter for your convenience to read along with the explanation that comes with it. It's important to understand the context first, to know what to look for.
In each passage, this parable was given as just one part of a brief explanation by Jesus outlining end times events and situations. The events Jesus had just described before stating this parable include some precursor events, some events that would occur specifically to the apostles, themselves, and also included are some events culminating in the very Day of the Lord, all of which events will be explained in this Christian Unity Prophecy elsewhere, within the context of their proper place in the timeline of end times events. Of course, I'll never give a specific date for the Day of the Lord, which no one can know, although there are obviously some important things that that can be said about it. But the focus at hand is on the parable of the Fig Tree itself.
The lesson of the Fig Tree concerns the earliest parts of the timeline of end times events that Jesus so described. The Parable of the Fig Tree is shown in this Christian Unity Prophecy to refer to a condition or general state of the body of Christ, as a sign of things soon to come, a sign that has very special significance for Christian unity, which is the unity in loving, with our lives laid down, all who believe to repentance in the forgiveness of sins, and in the righteousness of God, which is given to each of us believers by the sacrifice of Jesus, including believers of every Christian denomination and group.
The Parable of the Fig Tree is often mistakenly interpreted as referring to the initial formation of the modern nation state of Israel, which was declared independent in May of 1948. The general idea of such interpretation is that the green leaves of the fig tree signify newness, as found in the newness of that relatively young, newly formed nation. Another part of that interpretation deals with the fact that Jesus said that the end times events He described in these passages would all take place before this generation passed away, and this is sometimes interpreted to mean, in accordance with another scripture, that all those events Jesus described in these passages would occur within the nominal life span of a person, or about 70 to 80 years, following the formation of the modern nation state of Israel.
Psalms 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away
Starting from May of 1948, that would add up to the years from 2018 to 2028. Not that those are end dates, but that all those events described by Jesus in the associated Bible passages, possibly including the Day of the Lord, would take place anytime *prior* to those years. I agree in that interpretation only with regard to the general time frame, and that the events regarding the Anti-christ will take place very soon, in about the same time period. I even agree that the modern nation state of Israel will be centrally involved in events that take place during this time period. But I strongly disagree in all the rest of this interpretation of the fig tree, and the meaning of the symbol of the fig tree itself, which is the most important message of the parable.
Since I do agree in the same general time frame, it may seem unimportant as to why I disagree in the symbolism. It certainly is not worth arguing over in order to claim greater specificity regarding the times when these events are to occur. But this parable of Jesus is both a parable, and a prophetic scripture, both of which always have a purpose and a message for which God has given them to men. End times events without the message and purpose of God are meaningless.
End times scriptures are not given to us just in order to make us know the times as simply the number of a particular year or date involved. We are to know the times as they fit into God’s plans. End times scriptures are given to us in order to encourage us Christians to take our proper place in service to the body of Christ, to perfect the bride in love and holiness, in preparation for Christ’s return to take home with Him His bride, whom we Christians all are. So the fig tree is important because if you fail to see Christian unity in the scriptures that explain the very first signs among these end times events, then you just make it harder for yourself to see the truth of Christian unity in the scriptures regarding all the other end times that follow.
The true meaning of the fig tree sprouting green leaves is the beginning of the obedience to the unity in love among all repentant believers as commanded by Jesus in the body of Christ, which is the new Israel, the Israel of the children of the promise by faith in Jesus, *not* the modern nation state of Israel. The beginning of unity in love may not sound like much, but that’s only if you look at it in a worldly sense. You have to think about the wars and inquisitions that went on in the past, and the public debate that still rages in some ways, between the various Christian denominations and groups. You have to remember how many times, and by how many ways, and by how many variations in Christian doctrine, unbelievers outside the church have been prevented from believing in salvation in Jesus because we Christians were unable to show love for one another in the one Jesus, by whom we all claim salvation.
You need to look at it from God’s perspective, realizing how important Christian unity is to God, and that Jesus gave us His own glory that we may be one. Then you have to remember that Jesus promised that if we Christians love one another, then the world knows that we are the disciples of Him who was sent by God. United in love in Jesus, as He commanded, we are the new Israel, and the body of Christ.
This new Israel is made up of all of us Christians, all believers, of all Christian denominations and groups. This new Israel is the spiritual Israel, the Israel that is one in the one Spirit of Christ, that is most important to God, and the Israel which is defined as Christian unity in this prophecy that you are herewith reading, and is in fact God’s very purpose for the universe.
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
To understand the parable of the fig tree, you have to realize two things:
(1) how important the symbol of *fruit* is to Christian unity, and
(2) how the fig fruit, in particular, relates to the first green leaves of the fig tree.
And neither of these can be understood outside of the context of Christian unity as God’s purpose for the universe. God knew that no one would understand what this parable means until now, because only in recent years have we members of the body of Christ come to commit our lives in sacrifice to true spiritual unity in love, in Jesus, loving all who believe to repentance in Jesus, including believers of all Christian denominations and groups.
Just precisely when this great awakening in Christian unity began is not critical to date. In fact, it is much better *not* to attribute it to either a particular date or to a specific group of Christians, since it is the work of the Holy Spirit, and none of us should be seen to take credit for it. It is enough to say that the enormous upsurge in Christian unity among all believers was well under way at the turn of the millennium, by the year 2000, and that Christians from many different Christian denominations and groups are involved. All of us who love all of God’s children in Christ, all recognize each other as Christians because we all recognize salvation in the same Jesus, and we see it confirmed by the holiness and brotherly love we see in each other. By their fruits, we know them, and we know what fruits mean to the body of Christ.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.